Siphon bottle and cap



Oct. 28, 1941.

I N. CORDIS SIPHON BOTTLE AND CAP Filed Feb. 4, 1938 INVENTQR. A/Q/ Ford/.5.

- :IATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 28, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SIPHON BO' ET E N CA Nat carats, Los Angeles, Calif. Applicatio F ruary 4, Ser a Na iLZ1i5v 3 Claims.

This invention relates generally to the art of siphoning liquids under pressure from containers and has particular reference to a novel type of container and cap adapted to have a valve member attached thereto for siphoning out the contents of the container. Since siphons are usually employed with bottles, I will illustrate and describe my invention as applied to bottles, it being understood that wherever in the specification and claims I use the term bottle, I mean to include all suitable containers, such as tin cans and the like.

Siphon bottles. have long been used as a convenient means, for periodicallywithdrawing small quantities of carbonated liquids in such manner as to. retain the gas pressure within the bottle, so that over a period of time in spite of numerous withdrawals of liquid, the remaining liquid in the bottle, does not become flat or lifeless. The usual type of siphon bottle is made substantially as a unit and comprises a bottle with a relatively nar-. row neck into which a complete s phon attachment is inserted and sealed, In thisusual type of siphon bottle, the siphon attachment is inserted; in the bottle at, the time ofbottling and is not removable therefrom, so that the transportation of said bottles from the bottling works to the ultimate consumer presents considerable of a problem due to the irregular shape of the valve mechanism which prevents the bottles being laid upon their side or turned ups de-down as is often desirable when packing or shipping bottles of carbonated liquids. It is of course impossible to use a cork in a bottle which contains liquid underv pressure une. less additional holding means is provided to take the strain of the internal pressure,-this being particularly true where the bottles, are to be subjected to various temperatures, or varying. altitudes, since while it may be possible in some instances to successfully cork a bottle under pres-,. sure, any increase in temperature or increase, in the altitude with its consequent decrease in; at mospheric pressure, will cause the cork to blow out.

The common practice in bottling carbonated liquids or other liquids under pressurerwhere siphon bottles are not used is to place the liquids in a flanged bottle under pressure, and; then come press a crowned cap. over the mouth of the bottle and around saidflange, it being possible by utiliz-. ing this type of cap to successfully maintain a comparatively high pressure in the bottle. The crown type of cap is well-known to the publicsince. most of the soft drinks, beers, ales, and the like which are. marketed today are bottled and capped in that fashion. Numerous devices have been placed on the market for; piercing the aforementioned crown cap and. inserting therein a siphon tube and valve adapted to make the ordinary crownqap bottle into a siphon bottle. However, so far as I have been able to ascertain none of these devices, has proved satisfactory, PIlIlCi-r pally for the reason that they do not provide a fluid-tight connection between the siphon tube and the cap during the piercing step, or after the siphon is inserted, and the gas pressure in the bottle, therefore, falls to a point where the siphon does not work, or the liquid is substantially flat and lifeless.

It is the major object of my invention to provide a capping means which can be installed in the ordinary crown-cap, type of container, so that the advantages of that type of container are retained, while at the same time the assembly is adapted to have a piercing valve mechanism inserted therein to convert the container into a siphon. By use of said capping means, the pressure in the bottle is maintained both during the piercing operation and after the siphon valve has been installed. It. is a further object of my in-,

vention to provide a bottle assembly of the abovementioned type which can be manufactured at a very slight increase in cost over the normal cost of manufacturing the bottles themselves, and

which can be easily made and installed in the ordinary crown-cap type of bottle.

These and other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following; description of preferred and alternate forms thereof, and from the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical elevation partially in section of one'form of bottle and cap assembly made according to my invention,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a suitable piercing valve mechanism adapted to be used with the siphon bottle of my invention,

Fig. 31s a partial elevational section of a modified form ofcapping means,

Fig. 4 is a partial elevational section of another form of capping means, and v Fig. 5 is a partial elevational section of a fourth form ofcapping means.

Referring now to the drawing, and particularly tov Fig. 1 thereof, the numeral l0; indicates a container of suitable material, such for instance as a bottle of conventional size and shape provided with a generally cylindrical lower portion and a reduced neck portion I l which is provided with flange lza o nd themou-th r op n end; ther q A stopper 1.3; madeof: Q011- irubh ,.0r e er. ;e.-

silient compressible material is inserted in the neck of the bottle in the usual manner. In the form shown in Fig. 1, the stopper I3 is provided with a cylindrical cavity or bore I4, extending upwardly from its lower face to a point adjacent to but spaced from its upper face, there being suflicient cork, or other material as the case may be, between the end of the bore I4 and the top of the stopper, which portion I will designate by the numeral I8, to withstand considerable pressure from the inside when supported as hereinafter described. The bore I4 is preferably, but not necessarily, centrally disposed. A siphon tube I5 made of glass or other suitable material is inserted in the bore I4 and is of such a diameter as to form a snug fit therein. The length of the tube I5 is such that its lower end is spaced a slight distance above the bottom of the bottle I when the stopper I3 is in place in the neck of the bottle as illustrated.

The upper face of the stopper I3 is substantially flush with the mouth of the bottle and a crown-cap I6 is fastened on the mouth of the bottle by crimping it over the flange I2 in the usual manner. The cap I6 may be of the conventional type, except that it is provided with an aperture I! which is aligned with the siphon tube I and is preferably somewhat smaller in diameter than the internal diameter of said tube, although this is not absolutely essential. When the siphon bottle is assembled in this fashion, it comprises a siphon tube I5 terminating within a resilient stopper I3 which insures a fluid-tight connection around the tube I5 in the neck of the bottle II, and a cap I6 crimped around the flange I2 to withstand any reasonable pressure within the bottle, the cap I6 being provided with an aperture I! which is co-axial with the siphon tube I5.

Referring now to Fig. 2 wherein is illustrated one suitable form of piercing valve structure, the numeral indicates a substantially cylindrical housing of any suitable material, containing a suitable valve and passage (not shown) since any suitable type of control valve mechanism may be utilized. The housing 20 may be provided with a lateral spout or discharge tube 2| and a depressible control button or valve. On the lower end of the housing 20, an elongated tubular stem 23 with a sharpened point 24 is provided, the stem 23 having an aperture 25 near its lower end preferably spaced back a short distance therefrom. Stem 23 may be threaded as shown in Fig. 2, or it may have smooth sides and rely solely upon the point 24 for insertion, as hereinafter described.

In the operation of mydevice as a siphon bottle, the point 24 of the stem 23 is inserted in the aperture ll of the cap I6 and is pushed and screwed, down through the portion I8 of the stopper I3 and into the upper end of the tube I5, which as previously mentioned is housed within the bore I4 of the stopper I3. As will be evident, the aperture 25 in the stem 23 makes fluid connection with the interior of the tube I5 when it has been moved downwardly a suflicient distance to pass through the portion I8 of the stopper. By providing the portion I8 of the resilient stopper, a fluid-tight connection is insured around the stem 23, during and after the piercing operation, so that no gas can possible escape therearound. It will also be noted that the base of the valve casing is adapted and arranged to be drawn into engagement with the sealing cap by the thread on the stem thus perfecting the seal against the escape of the pressure from the bottle. The

thread on the stem not only facilitates the sealing of the opening caused by the stem, but also prevents undue disruption of the sealing member during insertion of the stem thus further perfecting the seal.

When it is desired to withdraw some of the liquid from the bottle I0, it is merely necessary to depress the button at the top to open the valve connection between the spout 2| and the stem 23, and thence through the aperture 25 into the tube I5 of the bottle. The pressure in the bottle above the liquid will then, of course, cause the liquid to flow upwardly through the siphon tube and out through the spout 2| in the usual manner.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a bottle and cap therefor, adapted to have inserted therein a valve mechanism which when the assembly is completed provides satisfactory siphoning action and insures a fluid-tight connection between all parts. Furthermore, by providing the aperture I! in the cap I6, I make it a relatively easy and simple matter for anyone to insert the siphon valve stem into the bottle cap without the necessity of employing tools or other assistance. On the other hand, the aperture I1 is sufficiently small, and the section I8 of the stopper is sufiiciently thick so that a considerable pressure can be maintained in the bottle without blowing the portion I8 through the aperture I'I.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the numeral II again represents the neck of a conventional bottle, the numeral I2 indicates the flange around the mouth of the bottle, and the numeral I6 denotes a crown-cap crimped around the flange I2. Likewise, the numeral I5 indicates a siphon tube, the numeral I3 designates a stopper, and the numeral I! again indicates an aperture in the top of the cap l6. In this form of my device, the bore I4 is omitted from the stopper I3, and instead a cylindrical sleeve 21 of metal or other suitable material is forced up into the stopper. sleeve 2'Ihas a downwardly-extending portion with a reduced'diameter indicated by the numeral 28, it being noted that the upper end of the sleeve 21 terminates some distance below the upper face of the stopper I3, and that the inside of the sleeve 21 is filled with cork or other resilient material, which has not been displaced by the insertion of the sleeve.

In this form of my device, I prefer to form the tube I5 out of Cellophane or some other equally rugged and cheap material, which is preferably transparent, and can be secured by any suitable means such as cement to the reduced portion 28 of the sleeve 21.

The type of valve assembly illustrated in Fig. 2, can also be used in this form of my invention, although as will be evident from the drawing, it is necessary that the stem 23 be longer in this case than it was in the case of the stopper apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1. The stem 23 is either pushed or'screwed down through the cork within the sleeve 21 until the aperture 25 is beneath the lower face of the stopper so as to make fiuid connection withthe tube I5. As before, the aperture I! in the cap I 6 makes it a very simple matter for the operator to insert the sharpened point 24 into the stopper with a minimum of effort, and the'resilient material of the stopper insures a fluid-tight connection at all times.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the same numerals indicate the same parts as in the preceding forms of my invention, to wit: a bottle neck II with its flange I2, cap IB'with its aperture II,

The

and tube l extending down into the bottle I0. In this form of my invention, a sleeve 30 is provided, which is similar to the sleeve 21 of Fig. 3 in that the major portion of it is cylindrical, and it is provided with a reduced portion 3|, upon which the tube I5 is secured. However, in this case, the sleeve 30 is provided with a horizontal outwardly-extending apertured disc 32 on its upper end which is adapted to fit over a sealing washer or gasket 31 and under the cap l6, it being noted that the interior of the sleeve 30 is filled with cork, rubber, or the like, so as to insure a fluid-tight connection around the stem 23 when it is inserted through the aperture l1 and into the sleeve 30.

In Fig. 5, I have shown still another modification of my invention, and it will be seen that I again provide a bottle with a neck ll provided with a flange l2 around which a cap it with an aperture [1 is fastened. A sleeve 34 which is provided with a horizontal outwardly-extending disc 35 similar in shape to the disc 32 on the sleeve 30 of Fig. 4. The sleeve and disc in this instead of being formed of metal as in the form shown in Fig. 4, are preferably made out of rubber or similar material, the disc being securely fastened over the mouth of the bottle by the cap I6. The sleeve 34 is provided with a pair of co-axial bores extending inwardly from its upper and lower faces, there being a solid wall of rubber between their inner ends to provide an effective seal between the tube 15 and the atmosphere.

The operation of this form of my device is similar to that already discussed; the stem 23 of the valve mechanism is inserted through the aperture ll of the cap- [6 and the upper bore in sleeve 34, and is then screwed or punched through the intermediate Wall between the bores, so that it passes into the lower bore of the sleeve and hence makes fluid connection with the tube I5 in the manner before described.

As will be seen from the foregoing, in each of the forms of my invention a fluid-tight connection between the stem of the valve mechanism and the stopper assembly is insured during and after the piercing operation. Likewise, in each form the cap 16 is provided with an aperture, which is preferably centrally disposed, which practically eliminates all trouble and effort in the insertion of the valve which converts the bottle into a siphon. Furthermore, I have provided a bottle which has the siphon tube already in place and one which, therefore, can be readily marketed to the general public who do not have to employ a complicated valve mechanism with an attached siphon tube, but merely need a very simple valve mechanism with a piercing stem to convert the bottle into a siphon. However, it will be understood that if desired, the siphon tube may be omitted and the stem of the valve mechanism lengthened so that it serves as a siphon tube.

While I have illustrated various specific forms of my invention in the drawing and foregoing description, it is to be understood that they are illustrative only, and are not to be deemed to limit the scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a container having a discharge neck, of a penetratable sealing member for said neck; a metallic retaining cap fitting over said neck and holding said sealing member in place, said retaining cap having a central perforation; a discharge tube secured to said sealing member in registration with the opening in said cap and extending into the lower portion of the container; and a discharge valve having a threaded stem adapted and arranged to penetrate said sealing member and enter said tube, the base of said valve casing being shaped and arranged to be drawn into sealing engagement with said cap by said thread.

2. The combination with a container having a discharge neck, of a penetratable compressible sealing member for said neck; a metallic retaining cap fitting over said neck and holding said sealing member in place, said retaining cap having a central perforation; and a discharge valve having a threaded stem adapted and arranged to penetrate said sealing member, the base of said valve casing being shaped and arranged to be drawn into sealing engagement with said cap by said thread.

3. In a container having a discharge neck, a penetratable sealing member in said neck, a metallic retaining cap fitting over said neck and holding said member in place and said cap having a central perforation adapted to permit the passage of a sealing member piercing stem of a discharge valve therethrough; said sealing member comprising a hollow stem arranged axially in the neck of said bottle and spaced from the sides thereof, means sealing said stem intermediate the ends thereof, and a siphon tube fitting over said stem in frictional engagement therewith, said siphon tube frictionally engaging said stem and extending upwardly over the same to a point where it surrounds at least a part of that portion of said stem wherein is located said stem sealing member.

NAT CORDIS. 

